Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

later than; following

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

plural of “bramble” — any of various rough thorny shrubs or vines

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

plural of “centre” — a low-lying region in central France

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

twice as great or many

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

plural of “engagement” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

attracting or delighting

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

social deportment

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

not any; not one

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

a course of conduct

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

-ing form of “prance” — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

the sport of engaging in contests of speed

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

a person who takes long walks in the country

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

move upward

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

a large number or amount

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

in a shrill voice

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

the outline of objects seen against the sky

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

an upright that is a member in a door or window frame

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

plural of “telegram” — a message transmitted by telegraph

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

past form of “twinkle” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a slope of gap-hedged fields possessed to their centres by clumps of brambles.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Gates were not, and the rabbit-mined, cattle-rubbed posts leaned out and in.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

in or at the place that

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

a Caucasian

From this reading A narrow path doubled among the bushes, scores of white tails twinkled before the racing hound, and a hawk rose, whistling shrilly.

which person or people

From this reading “Telegrams delivered to the Vale of Avalon, of course,” and she beckoned in an earnest-eyed hound of engaging manners and no engagements, who answered, at times, to the name of Rambler.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading He led them, after breakfast, to the rise behind the house where the stile stood against the skyline, and, “I wonder what we shall find now,” said Sophie, frankly prancing with joy on the grass.